I came home today and turned on the tv to veg for awhile. The news was covering the sentencing of Bobbi Cutts who killed Jesse Davis and her unborn child. They were at the part where family members come up and face Bobbi and say whatever it is they want to say. Jesse’s sister was talking at that moment and was saying how she would never be able to forgive him. Jesse’s dad came up and said a few words, basically he will never forgive him. Jesse’s mom came up and what she had to say was awesome. I can’t remember word for word, but basically she told him that she serves a great God and that He has the ability to forgive and she can forgive him because He has forgiven her. She said she wants to forgive him for what he did because she doesn’t want to live with the anger and an unforgiving heart. She said that she would be praying that he would find God and that God has the ability to heal and change peoples lives. I was really touched by her boldness and heart felt desire to show God’s love for this man who murdered her daughter and unborn granddaughter.

I had just taught about forgiveness in the 6th grade girls cell and we watched a clip from the “Passion of Christ” film. Christ was in the garden praying and asking his Father to take this cup of suffering from him, but that he wanted to do His will not his. I was really hit by his intense desire to do his Father’s will knowing he would experience much pain ahead. Yet he did it so that we can have our sins forgiven and enter back into a relationship with God. It’s only because he did this that we can truly offer forgiveness to others. “We can get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, we can be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven us”. (NLT Eph. 4:31-32). What awesome power we have through Christ to forgive others. I know that I would absolutely not be able to forgive others without having Christ in my life. I am so thankful that through Christ I can forgive others!